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More fan contributions from Philly.com Sports partner Bleacher Report
NFC EAST
Team: New York Giants
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2008 record: 12-4
What's the story? For a change, it's not Plaxico Burress, who shot his odd career in the leg. The Giants spent more time last season insisting Burress wasn't a distraction than they did preparing for the stretch run. Now, this team can embrace its identity: A gutty, devastating running game, still three-headed despite the loss of Derrick Ward; a pass rush that devours QBs; and a QB who occasionally makes the plays he was drafted to make. Make all the jokes you like, but when you build a team like that, and you're patient with it weekly, it wins.
Prediction: 12-4.
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
2008 record: 9-6-1
What's the story? An unlikely playoff run, one made possible by, of all things, the tie, has the cognoscente missing the point. The Eagles have been pretty good for 9 years in large part because of their offensive tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. Both now are gone. Their replacements, Jason Peters and Shawn Andrews, might be upgrades, and the line might be very good, but preseason injuries will make the first 4 weeks of the season the testing ground for that possibility. The losses of S Brian Dawkins (free agency), MLB Stewart Bradley (knee) and coordinator Jim Johnson, who died of cancer, make the Birds a big gamble.
Prediction: 10-6.
Team: Dallas Cowboys
2008 record: 9-7
What's the story? Terrell Owens is gone, leaving Roy Williams to make the passing attack his own. Except Williams isn't the player the Pokes hoped he was when they traded for him last season, and he has already suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason. This sort of pressure is toxic for Williams, a Texas native, and it doesn't wear well with glamour QB Tony Romo. TE Jason Whitten might be the best offensive player they have, but, as usual, the Cowboys will be all about owner Jerry Jones. As usual, the Cowboys will suffer for it.
Prediction: 7-9
Team: Washington Redskins
2008 record: 8-8
What's the story? Right around Week 8, when DT Albert Haynesworth has played 75 percent of the Redskins' defensive snaps, he will disappear. And then, the questions start coming: Why give him $100 million and bolster an already-formidable defense when the offense still stinks? Those questions will linger the rest of the season, as the overworked defense wears down, as overrated QB Jason Campbell crumples for the 40th time behind a suspect offensive line, as the wide-receiving corps remains a nonthreat and as second-year head coach Jim Zorn suffers the wrath of meddling owner Dan Snyder, whose fault it never is.
Prediction: 6-10.
NFC NORTH
Team: Minnesota Vikings
2008 record: 10-6
What's the story? Brad Childress needs to win, so he did what any leader would do in a time of distress: He hired a mercenary. That it is motivated, reconstructed Brett Favre only adds to the intrigue. Already, Favre — who repeatedly denied his second unretirement — has an injury to dramatize (rib). This season he will play alongside the best offensive weapon he's ever had, RB Adrian Peterson, the league's dominant offensive player. If rookie WR Percy Harvin can hold on to Favre's ego throws over the middle, the sound defense could make Childress a very wanted man.
Prediction: 11-5.
Team: Chicago Bears
2008 record: 9-7
What's the story? Finally, an offense that might match the defense. Or eclipse it. The Broncos' incredible shuttling of Jay Cutler to Chicago, where he replaces Kyle Orton, means that Bears fans no longer have to spend 30 minutes of the game holding their breath, hoping the offense doesn't lose it. Cutler has a wealth of youth from which to choose, including a real RB in Matt Forte, a promising TE in Greg Olsen, perhaps the league's next star at the position. Imagine: a Bears team on which Brian Urlacher is not the only significant entity.
